The first day of testing concluded with the series sophomores on top, headed by Ceccon (MW Arden). The best rookie was Melville McKee, who finished fifth.

For tomorrow, Lichtenstein will not participate and will be replaced by Jack Harvey. In turn, Harvey’s vacant Lotus ART seat will be occupied by GP3 veteran Vittorio Ghirelli. Ghirelli was tested for Draco at the FR3.5 tests and raced in GP3 with Atech, Jenzer, and Addax.

@gabrielfernando Costa was definitely overhyped last year in Formula Abarth but 2012 was really successful considering Ghiotto and Bonifacio are some of the quickest talents in junior open-wheel. Nicolas Costa has the potential to become an F1 driver and I think it’s intelligent that he’s allying himself with an F1 team (Marussia) having been dropped by Ferrari’s junior scheme. I think McKee-Costa will be an interesting battle next year if both commit to GP3.

Here’s the Estoril line-up. The big name is Daniil Kvyat. There’s also some movement: Zonzini switched from Trident to Lotus; Visoiu ran for MW Arden after sampling the Lotus; Venturini also left Lotus, this time for Status. Sheban Siddiqi is driving for Lotus, having driven for the Lotus-Motopark team in German F3 and ADAC Formel Masters. He is easily the worst driver in the field.

The third Arden driver will probably be Fumanelli. Now Lotus ART will have to muster a strong line-up to fight the Ardens and the Marussia of Tio Ellinas, who will definitely be a title contender. Lotus ART have plenty of attractive options for their line-up next year. Patric Niederhauser, Robert Visoiu, Giovanni Venturini, and Kevin Ceccon all have GP3 experience and could form an impressive line-up. The team could also select rookies from F3 and FR2.0, including Jimmy Eriksson, Óscar Tunjo, and Jake Dennis.

This is also raises question marks over Koiranen’s line up as many expected them to field Kvyat. I’m expecting a mostly Nordic line up for the team. Weckström, Villemi, and Ocon, perhaps?

@portugoose Hadn’t seen that about Sainz and Kvyat – that’ll be fun! Kvyat looked pretty quick in Eurocup this year, needs a bit of polish though. Some silly incidents especially the one with Harvey in Hungary.